Come and tell me what running has done for your figure...

[OhThisIsJustGrape]

And a couple of other things - how long did it take to notice changes to your body shape and what distance/how often did you have to run to achieve it?

I'm short (5') and slim (6-8) but so untoned with typical problem areas such as wobbly tummy and thighs. I want to start running and aim to begin by doing c25k as I've never run before!

Any advice or tips also would be most welcome :)

[MrsBertMacklin]

Running is a fantastic way to burn fat, but it won't really tone you up, you need strength training for that. Do the running if you want to ref. the C25K goal and keeping yourself healthy, but I'd look at lifting weights and doing strength training if you want to firm up.

[gruffalocake]

I'm doing c25k and am also slim bit with untuned stomach muscles :/ I'm thinking of doing pilates to work on core strength and toning as I don't think the running alone will do that.

[2madboys]

Sorry MrsBert, but I was just about to say that running has toned up my thighs and bum nicely! I finished C25k about a month ago and have mostly been running around 5k three times a week since then, although I've only noticed the toning up during the last couple of weeks. It's not particularly helped with the wobbly tummy. I think I need to find the time/energy to do Shred on the non-running days to help with that.

[MrsBertMacklin]

Just to clarify, of course running will help; it will burn off fat covering muscle but if your muscles themselves aren't trained, there won't be any difference in your body shape (just size).

[EuroShaggleton]

I agree with MrsBert. It will tone thighs, bum and stomach (you twist the torso as you run) a bit, but it's main benefit is burning calories. To tone up, resistence work is far more effective.

[EleanorFarjeon]

I run, but I do a lot of other stuff too so can't really say if running has toned my legs.

I do think it keeps them slim & they are rock hard - but that might be from spinning or body pump.

[MrsBertMacklin]

Love body pump for toning. Fun classes, too. A lot of local leisure centre run them.

[MariefromStMoritz]

I have a question... can you run with your dog? I run (well, mainly walk) on the treadmill but I am wondering if I can go for a run with the dog in the evening instead. She would need to stay on her lead, though, so I am wondering if this is possible and if anybody does it?

[BlueChampagne]

MariefromStMoritz If your dog is well behaved and happy to trot along with you rather than dive into the undergrowth in pursuit of a smell, fine. Plenty of people do. I guess the only way is to try it.

[EauRouge]

I've been running for just over 6 months and I've noticed a difference to my body size and shape. My bottom is definitely firmer and more pert, and my thighs and waist are smaller. I dropped a dress size on my bottom half (14 to a 12) quite quickly, I think by week 5 or 6 of C25K. I've also gone down a cup size. I haven't lost any weight so I must have replaced fat with muscle. Running is the only change I've made, I'm not restricting my diet or doing any other kind of exercise.

Marie yes, you can run with dogs. Have a look at the CaniCross UK website.

[Gemini1974]

I find that running is the fastest way for me to not only lose weight, but also tighten up my bum, stomach and thighs. I started losing weight jan 12 gradually, and by running have gone from a size 16 to a 10. As the above poster says, you won't get muscle definition unless the muscle below is trained (which mine isn't), but my stomach is now flat. Good luck with your efforts.

[Gemini1974]

Sorry, forgot to mention, I started doing a mile at a time and now I'm at 4 miles non stop, 3 times a week. And I eat chocolate every day!

[bohemimum]

toned up my bum, thighs, tum :) lost weight on my boobs :( run 3x week on average 5k a time.

[PoppyWearer]

Good thread, thank you.

I have started running again and have been disappointed not to see more improvements to my body, especially flabby tummy, and yes I think my boobs are smaller.

I've just concluded I need to combine with The Shred to see the improvements I want.

[mercury7]

I started running about 10-12 miles per week, currently get in 20-22, the more I run the leaner I am but the 'law of diminishing returns' is apparent.

The cost/benefit ratio in terms of injuries relative to fat loss shifts as the mileage increases

[LadyAlex]

I run but saw the best changes when I took up pilates. You can't be truely strong on the outside if its not there on the inside.
Pilates also helps reduce the risk of injury by helping to strengthen muscles that become weak when running because other muscles do all the work.

[CoteDAzur]

"helps reduce the risk of injury by helping to strengthen muscles that become weak when running because other muscles do all the work"

What does this mean?

Which muscles do you think are weakened through the activity of running for a grand total of several hours per week?

[CoteDAzur]

I started running at the age of 38. Within two months, I was down 2 dress sizes, leaner and firmer everywhere.

I have also done quite a bit of yoga in the past, including ashtanga yoga which is quite high-energy. While it helped tone up, its effects were nowhere near the way running changed my body.